Below is an annotated list of children's literature for the elementary classroom. The books are organized by the Six Elements of Social Justice Curriculum Design (Picower, 2007). It is based on work by pre-service teachers at Montclair State University. They have read and reviewed these books and provided insights into how they can be used in K-5 settings.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Chester Raccoon And The Big Bad Bully

If you really enjoyed this book, click hereto view more stories about Chester Raccoon from the Kissing Hand collection, a series of books on life issues for children. Some books are published in Spanish and English!Click here to learn more about the author of Chester Raccoon And The Big Bad Bully.Summary:Chester Raccoon And The Big Bad Bully is the latest latest addition to the Kissing Hand
book collection. Chester Raccoon and his friends are being terrorized by
a mean looking bully at school. When Mrs. Raccoon learns that there is a
bully problem at school, she decides to investigate the situation. Chester
described the bully as a mean badger with claws and fire coming out of his
nose. Everyone was afraid of him. After seeing the bully for herself, Mrs
Raccoon shares a story. It was about a forest that was full of smooth yellow
stones, and how the animals living there changed a jagged blue stone they found
into a smooth stone so that it wouldn't hurt any tender paws.Chester, Ronny, and Cassy decided to use Mrs. Raccoon's
story when they next encountered the Bully. Approaching him as a group, they
invited him to play, proving that the best way to get rid of an enemy is to
make him your friend.

Element #6- Exploring Elements of Social Action:This book is a great resource for teachers who want to teach students a positive strategy for dealing with a bully. Chester Raccoon And The Big Bad Bully helps children to understand thatmany child bullies are themselves
unhappy, and it gives them an example of taking action to settle differences by
peaceful means. Preventing and stopping bullying involves a
commitment by teachers and students to create a safe environment. This is a
great way to take action in the classroom by telling young students how they
can take a stand against bullying. Follow-up Activity:A great follow up activity for the book is to hold a critical thinking discussion on how to handle a bully. The teacher can encourage students to talk about any issues they have had in the past or currently with bullies. Go around the room and take suggestions from other students on how they would handle the bully. The teacher can then write them down on the chalkboard/whiteboard. At the end of the discussion, the children can pick the best suggestions and the teacher will then compile them and print them out to make an advice book for the class titled, How to Get Along or How to Stop A Bully.